Why Do You Have Low Water Pressure in the Shower?

31 May 2022
 Categories: , Blog


Has your shower water pressure suddenly dropped? Nothing sucks the fun out of showering more than low water pressure. But what causes your shower water pressure to drop? Multiple factors can cause low water pressure in the shower.

Read along to learn the typical culprits behind this vexing plumbing issue.

Low water pressure throughout your home

If you turn on the shower and notice that your water pressure is low, you should not assume that the problem is unique to your shower area. Open the taps and other plumbing fixtures in your home to see if they have low pressure.

If the problem affects the plumbing fixtures throughout your home, you will need to check your entire domestic water supply line.

A leaky showerhead

Dripping showerheads reduce the amount of water you get in your shower, thus decreasing your shower water pressure. A showerhead typically leaks either from the arm or the swivel. 

A shower arm is the short length of the pipe that protrudes from the bathroom wall and attaches to the showerhead. On the other hand, the swivel is the connector (found between the shower arm pipe and the showerhead) that allows you to adjust your shower spray range. Not all shower arms have a swivel connector.

You do not have to buy a new showerhead if you are not getting enough water pressure from a leaking one. With proper showerhead repairs, you can stop leaks and return the water pressure to normal.

A clogged showerhead

Although the water that comes out of your showerhead looks clean, it contains dissolved minerals that gradually build up inside your showerhead. The mineral residue will cause your showerhead to become clogged if left unchecked. A blocked showerhead will lead to a loss of water pressure in the shower.

The good news is that clogged showerheads require an easy fix. To get the water flowing at the normal pressure, detach the showerhead from the shower arm and remove the accumulated residue.

A partially closed shower shutoff valve

If the water shutoff valve to your shower is partially closed, the water will not come out at the desired pressure. To fix the problem, locate the valve and open it fully.

Losing water pressure in the shower is never fun, but this should not put you down. The experts at your local plumbing company can help you diagnose and repair the cause of your shower woes. 

Call a plumber for professional help. 


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